GUN it saddens me to see people that can't shoot trying to teach new shooters...

Was at the range tonight blowing off some steam. Folks in the lane next to me set up and start shooting. 2 guys and a girl. The girl obviously had never shot before, as one of the guys was working her through the basics. He seemed to offer her no instruction other than point that way and shoot, and had her starting on .45 .

I very badly wanted to step in, and offer her some pointers, but didn't want to be "that guy" at the range that bothers everyone else, and my time was up anyway.

I think he did just great. The last thing I want to do is ruin a new shooters first time out by going "lean in, you're trigger pull is all wrong, spread your legs, don't eject your mag like that!" There's plenty of time to develop good shooting skills, but the first time out is about safety and fun. All I typically do is give the new shooter several walkthroughs on loading, unloading, and using the gun and try to drill the 4 rules in their head. When we get to the range we do a quick review and then I'm there to answer questions if they're asked and be sure the shooter is safe. They all have fun and want to go again and learn to shoot.

I think he did just great. The last thing I want to do is ruin a new shooters first time out by going "lean in, you're trigger pull is all wrong, spread your legs, don't eject your mag like that!" There's plenty of time to develop good shooting skills, but the first time out is about safety and fun. All I typically do is give the new shooter several walkthroughs on loading, unloading, and using the gun and try to drill the 4 rules in their head. When we get to the range we do a quick review and then I'm there to answer questions if they're asked and be sure the shooter is safe. They all have fun and want to go again and learn to shoot.

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I'm not suggesting some sort of nazi training ritual trying to get her to shoot perfect. But a simple "hey, this is how to hold the gun so you have a good grip on it, focus on the front sight, and squeeze the trigger" sort of thing would have been nice.

What disturbed me more is that he kept trying to give her pointers on how to shoot better. He was also shooting at a man sized target at 7 yards, and was grouping somewhere in the three foot range.

It was an odd night at the range... the "pink pistols", a gay rights shooting organization was there. Was odd seeing a tranny blasting away on a target... and then pointing out all of the rounds that would have been groin shots.

It was an odd night at the range... the "pink pistols", a gay rights shooting organization was there. Was odd seeing a tranny blasting away on a target... and then pointing out all of the rounds that would have been groin shots.

Was at the range tonight blowing off some steam. Folks in the lane next to me set up and start shooting. 2 guys and a girl. The girl obviously had never shot before, as one of the guys was working her through the basics. He seemed to offer her no instruction other than point that way and shoot, and had her starting on .45 .

I very badly wanted to step in, and offer her some pointers, but didn't want to be "that guy" at the range that bothers everyone else, and my time was up anyway.

There's a difference between saying "you have to do it this way, this way, this way, and this way" and saying "well, if you put your hands like this, it'll work better for you"

the situation I was observing is like when a bunch of guys hand their gf's the biggest gun possible, and then laugh when they cry from the recoil. Only they're also offering tips on how to hit the target, ironically from someone that would be getting tighter groups from a shot gun.

Whenever I take a new person to the range I go over the 4 rules and at least proper grip (don't want them slicing a thumb) and make sure they know how the sights "work" before we get there. Then once we get there I let them shoot at the back of a target. Once they get comfortable with shooting then let them shoot at an actual target. No sense in getting them discouraged from the beginning thinking they can't shoot.